LTO: Time To Change Old License Plates

New license plates with multiple security features, will be available to replace old license plates beginning January 5, in line with government’s license plate standardization program.

Motor vehicle owners may now order new license plates to replace old ones. Details: http://t.co/6CVJC0oLzQ pic.twitter.com/k9YnLrNZrm
— Official Gazette PH (@govph) January 5, 2015

The new motor vehicle plates will be available 45 days after registration renewal.

 “It’s time to change old license plates with new ones" Secretary of Transportation Jun Abaya said. Adding that phasing out the 9 various designs currently in use with modern, standardized, and security feature-packed license plates will also begin.

“We advise the public that their new license plates will be ordered upon renewing their motor vehicle registrations beginning this year. The new plates will be available 45 days after ordering them,” added LTO’s chief, Assistant Secretary Alfonso Tan Jr.

The new license plates for private motor vehicles sport a black-and-white design, similar to those in most countries around the world. They have tamper-resistant locks and screws which permanently attach the plates to the vehicle, preventing their removal and transfer. They also feature reflectorized sheeting to make them visible from afar and from any angle.   

“Just to remind those who have old license plates: the new plates will not change your alphanumeric combination. Your existing plate numbers will be retained. Only vehicles registered for the first-time will be issued the new 3-letter 4-number combination,” Tan said.

The entire standardization or replacement program will last until 2017. New plates will cost the same as existing plates, which is P 450.00 for 4-wheeled motor vehicles. Once replaced, the old license plates will no longer be valid for any purpose, but may be kept by their owners.